Hello again and how are you? I've had a pretty quiet time with not too much going on. I've been busy with the crocheting as I'm trying to get the blanket, which I've called the Karina blanket, finished in time for Christmas as I'm going to give it to my eldest grandson's girlfriend.
I had a good week last week for walking. I walked on my own and recce'd my longer walk on Tuesday - just on 7 miles. Walked with the group on Wednesday; 8 miles from Great Denham to Bromham and back. Unfortunately, after the first hour it rained solidly! On Thursday, I walked with my friend Lynn from the food bank and we walked 8 miles; I slightly changed the route I want to take when I lead this longer walk for the Ramblers and this new route was better and just under 8 miles. Phew! Job done. Now I'll just keep walking the routes until I can do them blindfolded - and in reverse. That's the true test of knowing where you're going...
This was Tuesday's outfit. Everything charity shopped except the boots. Tunic from Primarni; 2.00 in The Childrens' Society last year; cardigan Tu; 1.00 rail Barnardo's. Leggings bought in Store 21 sale for 5.00 a few years back. Still haven't found any black leggings yet...
Scarf charity shopped recently.
I lost my watch in the house somewhere (you can see the outline of it on my arm above!) and was lost without it. I have 7 watches, 4 of which were gifts and the other three from charity shops, but only one with a working battery! It costs between £4 and £5.00 to have batteries put in watches but I do need to get some put in urgently. I've tried putting in my own batteries in in the past using the batteries from the Poundshop, but they don't last...
This was Thursday's outfit:
All jewellery charity shopped
Jeans; John Rocha for M&S; Top; Next, Cardigan: Mystify all charity shopped.
Boots; Christmas present from daughter. I bought the alstromerias flowers from Lidl. They lasted for three weeks!
Our expected visitors cancelled their visit to us for Saturday and are coming in December instead which meant I had a free Saturday. I had a lovely lie-in as I had stayed up till 3.45 am the night before to finish my library book; 'Lethal White' by Robert Galbraith AKA J.K. Rowling author of the Harry Potter books. This book is the fourth in the Cormoran Strike series and very good it was too. I ran some errands in town and then went for a rummage to Great Denham and the Cat's Protection League in Kempston.
Look what I found there! I asked if they had any wool and the Manager said she had a bagful at the back and would I like to look. So I did, and then picking up vibes from her that she wished to be rid of the wool, I asked if she could do me a deal for the whole lot - all this wool for 8.00! I was so pleased. Of course the whole point of crocheting my current blanket is a stash busting project to reduce the amount of wool I already have - and then I go and buy all this. But you can't look a gift horse in the mouth as my mum used to say...
Saturday's outfit.
These trousers were from the sale rail in Barnardos in St. Neots last weekend - 49p. The cardigan came from the Sally Army and was 5.00. It's an Italian label. The lace top came from a sale rail somewhere last year.
Beetle crushers charity shopped in Wellingborough about three or four years ago.
All jewellery charity shopped.
Outerwear. Hilary sent me the beautiful paisley scarf. Embroidered wool cardigan bought in the Donkey Sanctuary charity shop in Ballyboffey, Co. Donegal. It has sequins and beads sewn into the embroidery as well.
I went to my son's on Sunday. I wore my new maxi dress. I wish I had put my hands in my pockets so you can see them; they're not very obvious in these photos. Everything charity shopped except the boots - online retail.
Roman jacket; 1.00 rail in Age UK, Wellingborough about three or four years ago. Dress bought in St. Neot's two weekends ago for 5.49.
All jewellery charity shopped.
I was watching 'Only Connect' on Monday (BBC 4) and one of the clues on the 'Wall' part of the programme was about different types of pen. One of the four types of pen was the 'dip' pen which the presenter, Victoria Coren, had to explain to the participants! I used a dip pen at primary school when we did Italic handwriting. I don't know why we were taught Italic handwriting but we were and we used lined paper; dip pens, inkwells and ink. If you were lucky you got to be ink monitor. It's times like this when I feel my age... and when I see the age of Oscar or award winning actors and/or musicians and realise I'm old enough to be their mum... and when I remember having no other form of home heating except coal fires and paraffin heaters.
I took three of my watches to the watch battery van in town on Monday and got new batteries. Cost 13.50. Oh well, at least I have four watches that work now!
My daughter took this photo of me (on her camera phone) and youngest grandson losing his money in the arcade in Eastbourne where we went at half term.
The size of this photo has just reminded that a few weeks ago my photos on the blog began to shrink. I always select the X large size for my photo on Blogger but no matter what I did the photos came out smaller than they used to. I nearly always use my camera phone for photos and they used all to be the size of the one above - the one my daughter took - we have the same phone. Now despite using the same camera phone and selecting the same size; the photos are smaller. Does anyone know why? And if so, what can I do about it? I've tried checking settings etc but to no avail.
Pattern mixing and monochrome. Everything charity shopped. Trousers and lace top both from Next. Italian cardigan bought in the Salvation Army for 5.00 a week or so ago. Boots charity shopped in Oxfam, I think.
Scarf charity shopped; 1.00.
All jewellery charity shopped except earrings; Sainsbury's.
On Tuesday, I volunteered at the Food Bank as usual. There are now so many donations of food we are having trouble storing it all!
In the afternoon I combined some errands in town and a walk of 3.5 miles. One of the places I stopped at was the Reuse Centre. The Reuse Centre has two premises; one is a charity shop which I pop into frequently and the other usually sells furniture only which I visit less frequently. I visited this one on Tuesday and saw a queue of about 40 people; men, women and children queuing for - food! This Reuse Centre now receives donations of perishable food from shops, cafes, restaurants and supermarkets and gives them to the needy. I saw a lot of bread, fresh fruit and vegetables. I was both shocked and horrified. I don't know why. I know there is a soup run on a Saturday afternoon in Bedford and homeless people in particular make use of it, but I think it was the sight of women queuing with children and buggies. It reminded me of news items where they feature disaster areas and people are queuing for aid. It is disgraceful that in the 21st century in a market town in the sixth biggest (richest?) economy in the world people have to queue for food because they can't afford to buy it. Why? Because of the number of people living in poverty, who are homeless or are the casualties of Universal Credit this charity now distributes perishable food to needy people on these premises.
I didn't walk with the group on Wednesday; I didn't want to get up so early. I did go walking on my own and walked my new route again. It was a bright, sunny day and cool, but lovely for walking. I walked just over 7 miles.
More monochrome and pattern matching. This was Thursday's outfit. I often stay in my walking gear on days when I walk...
All jewellery charity shopped.
Everything charity shopped. I bought the boots in Barnardo's in Great Denham earlier this year when it was too warm to wear them. They are very comfortable.
My daughter dislocated her shoulder playing netball and can't drive so I became a taxi service! It brings back memories of when my children were younger and I used to ferry them about to sports fixtures, friend's houses and when they got older parties and raves...
OH was just taking this photo when our weekend visitors arrived. Everything including jewellery charity shopped with the exception of the boots which were bought from Sainsburys as few years ago. The plaid skirt is pleated and was 49p from Barnardo's in Ampthill. Waistcoat by Zara but can't remember where I bought it or the green top.
I only went rummaging once last week. I took stuff to the charity shop in Great Denham and picked up two items from the sale rail at 79 p each; a sleeveless jumper and a pair of black jeans. Then when I was running errands on Tuesday I walked the long way home via the Children's Society shop where I picked up the navy blue coat (see below) by 'The White Stuff; for 10.00.
Our friends L and B from Leeds spent the weekend with us. We had a lovely time and enjoyed showing them around our town and some of our lovely countryside. We ate out on Friday evening and on Saturday we went for a walk along the River Great Ouse. Here we are on the newest bridge in town just setting out on our walk.
Everything charity shopped except boots - on line retail.
The weather has turned very cold here this week. Wherever you are stay warm!
I went to my son's on Sunday. I wore my new maxi dress. I wish I had put my hands in my pockets so you can see them; they're not very obvious in these photos. Everything charity shopped except the boots - online retail.
Roman jacket; 1.00 rail in Age UK, Wellingborough about three or four years ago. Dress bought in St. Neot's two weekends ago for 5.49.
All jewellery charity shopped.
I was watching 'Only Connect' on Monday (BBC 4) and one of the clues on the 'Wall' part of the programme was about different types of pen. One of the four types of pen was the 'dip' pen which the presenter, Victoria Coren, had to explain to the participants! I used a dip pen at primary school when we did Italic handwriting. I don't know why we were taught Italic handwriting but we were and we used lined paper; dip pens, inkwells and ink. If you were lucky you got to be ink monitor. It's times like this when I feel my age... and when I see the age of Oscar or award winning actors and/or musicians and realise I'm old enough to be their mum... and when I remember having no other form of home heating except coal fires and paraffin heaters.
I took three of my watches to the watch battery van in town on Monday and got new batteries. Cost 13.50. Oh well, at least I have four watches that work now!
My daughter took this photo of me (on her camera phone) and youngest grandson losing his money in the arcade in Eastbourne where we went at half term.
The size of this photo has just reminded that a few weeks ago my photos on the blog began to shrink. I always select the X large size for my photo on Blogger but no matter what I did the photos came out smaller than they used to. I nearly always use my camera phone for photos and they used all to be the size of the one above - the one my daughter took - we have the same phone. Now despite using the same camera phone and selecting the same size; the photos are smaller. Does anyone know why? And if so, what can I do about it? I've tried checking settings etc but to no avail.
Pattern mixing and monochrome. Everything charity shopped. Trousers and lace top both from Next. Italian cardigan bought in the Salvation Army for 5.00 a week or so ago. Boots charity shopped in Oxfam, I think.
Scarf charity shopped; 1.00.
All jewellery charity shopped except earrings; Sainsbury's.
On Tuesday, I volunteered at the Food Bank as usual. There are now so many donations of food we are having trouble storing it all!
In the afternoon I combined some errands in town and a walk of 3.5 miles. One of the places I stopped at was the Reuse Centre. The Reuse Centre has two premises; one is a charity shop which I pop into frequently and the other usually sells furniture only which I visit less frequently. I visited this one on Tuesday and saw a queue of about 40 people; men, women and children queuing for - food! This Reuse Centre now receives donations of perishable food from shops, cafes, restaurants and supermarkets and gives them to the needy. I saw a lot of bread, fresh fruit and vegetables. I was both shocked and horrified. I don't know why. I know there is a soup run on a Saturday afternoon in Bedford and homeless people in particular make use of it, but I think it was the sight of women queuing with children and buggies. It reminded me of news items where they feature disaster areas and people are queuing for aid. It is disgraceful that in the 21st century in a market town in the sixth biggest (richest?) economy in the world people have to queue for food because they can't afford to buy it. Why? Because of the number of people living in poverty, who are homeless or are the casualties of Universal Credit this charity now distributes perishable food to needy people on these premises.
I didn't walk with the group on Wednesday; I didn't want to get up so early. I did go walking on my own and walked my new route again. It was a bright, sunny day and cool, but lovely for walking. I walked just over 7 miles.
More monochrome and pattern matching. This was Thursday's outfit. I often stay in my walking gear on days when I walk...
All jewellery charity shopped.
Everything charity shopped. I bought the boots in Barnardo's in Great Denham earlier this year when it was too warm to wear them. They are very comfortable.
My daughter dislocated her shoulder playing netball and can't drive so I became a taxi service! It brings back memories of when my children were younger and I used to ferry them about to sports fixtures, friend's houses and when they got older parties and raves...
OH was just taking this photo when our weekend visitors arrived. Everything including jewellery charity shopped with the exception of the boots which were bought from Sainsburys as few years ago. The plaid skirt is pleated and was 49p from Barnardo's in Ampthill. Waistcoat by Zara but can't remember where I bought it or the green top.
I only went rummaging once last week. I took stuff to the charity shop in Great Denham and picked up two items from the sale rail at 79 p each; a sleeveless jumper and a pair of black jeans. Then when I was running errands on Tuesday I walked the long way home via the Children's Society shop where I picked up the navy blue coat (see below) by 'The White Stuff; for 10.00.
Everything charity shopped except boots - on line retail.
The weather has turned very cold here this week. Wherever you are stay warm!
Well done on finishing the recce of your walk! And on getting all this wool for just £ 8. I'm sure you'll find a use for all of it. I'm loving the necklace you're wearing in your second outfit, and the embroidered cardigan from the Donkey Sanctuary is simply divine. My favourite outfit is the first monochrome and pattern mixing one. Love that brooch! Sorry to hear about the photo size problem. I hate it when technical problems like that pop up and I can't resolve them. Hope someone is able to help you out with this! xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ann.
DeleteI've taken Vix's advice re the photos but it hasn't worked, unfortunately...
That brooch was one of the first I bought when I started wearing brooches again. 2.99 from Cancer Research.
Hope your weekend is not as gloomy and grey as ours.
xxxx
As usual, where do I start?
ReplyDeleteWell let's start with the pics because I think it was you who pointed out that my pics were too small! Since then I've used X large for portrait but can only use large for square or landscape as otherwise they escape over the border of the post.
Your piece on food banks generally is thought-provoking. I think the OECD published something on Britain's poverty recently. It's so good to hear that your food bank has a glut though, there is still a giving spirit around.
I love that you've displayed your wool in colour groupings!
Then on to the outfits. What creative splendour! Love your little cardi and jeans look, that gorgeous Italian cardi with ANYTHING and that beautiful embroidered cardi. Fab.u.lous outfits, all of them.
I was tired me out just reading about all your walks. All I seem to fit in these days is a daily half hour walk, though that could be down to my laziness!
And if I've missed out commenting on anything else, sorry!
Keep warm in this cold snap, x.
Thank you!
DeleteI think you're the only person who spotted the colour grouping with the wool, Mary! I'm not a fan of random colours usually but I'm venturing into that territory with my new crochet blanket...
It's warmer this weekend but very gloomy.
xxxx
Lovely outfits and fabulous accessories (I always have to tell that love your bijouterie collection!). I also have some watches, but it's expensive to put a battery in each one, so finally, I wear only two of them.
ReplyDeleteLovely red accents in first outfits, lovely mixed patterns, lovely monochrome outfits and lovely necklaces and headscarves.
And so fabulous that you purchased all that wool! what a bargain!
I totally understand that shock when you realise there are so many people who can't afford even food!. It's particularly outrageous as we live in regions which are proud to be prosperous, but these things still happen.
besos
Monica, see Polly's comment below re watches. What a good idea to save the batteries...
DeleteThank you for your comments - I love your bijouterie,too!
xxx
On the photo size problem: choosing the "original size" option to the right of XLarge will make the photo larger (if the size of the photo is bigger than the XLarge dimensions) It also depends on which template you use.
ReplyDeleteThat Italian cardigan is divine & I love the taupe maxi & how you've styled it!
Your grandson is so cute and looks like he's having lots of fun with his Gran.
That wool was such a deal, how could you pass that up!
xox
Thank you, Bibi, but orignal size selection is usually too large to fit the page.
DeleteYes, I couldn't pass up the wool - all those lovely colours!
Hope your weekend is going well.
xxx
My daughter has several watches,she puts batteries in them then pulls the winder pin out when she is not wearing those watches, and pushes it back in when she wants to wear a particular one thus not wasting the battery, I hadn't thought of doing it until she said.
ReplyDeletePolly, such a good idea! I've done it now so lets see if it works...
Deletexxxx
Hello Veronica, Wow, as they say in the southern states, grass doesn't grow under your feet! Monochrome and pattern matching knocked it out of the park. The Donkey Sanctuary wool cardigan was also stellar in every way. The photo of your new wool crochet stash made me actually swoon. Thanks as always for primo sharing. Judy
ReplyDeleteThank you, Judy.
DeleteYes, I never thought I'd see the day when I could get excited by wool - it makes my heart beat faster! Only a good looking man used to be able to do that to me...
Hope your weekend is going well.
xx
That's quite the wool purchase! Think of all the wonderful projects ahead in those great colours. Beautiful outfits-the embroidered cardigan is spectacular.
ReplyDeleteHope your daughter's shoulder heals quickly.
Thank you, Goody. I've just said to Judy that I never thought I'd get excited by the sight of wool...
DeleteHope your weekend goes well.
I love that picture of you and your youngest grandson deep in concentratio and I hope your daughter's shoulder heals soon.
ReplyDeleteThat's an amazing haul of wool - I knowwhat youll be doing during these long winter nights...crocheting!
A great round up of outfits, awards for favourite has to be the final photo with the Indian bag.
The level of poverty in the country is utterly appaling. One of our friends is a solicitor and volunteers an afternoon a week offering advice and help to people struggling with Universal Credit. He used to vote Conservative until he saw just how people are suffering, he's how joined the Labour Party.
With the photos I upload mine, click on the HTML tag at the top of the post and manually imput the size I want my photos to be (usually 600 x 760 for portrait and 660 x 500 for landscape).
Stay warm! xxx
Thank you, Vix. I'll have a bit of a play around with it.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad your friend decided to vote Labour; the fewer who vote for the Tories the better!
I'm busy crocheting right now trying to complete 144 x 4 inch squares by Christmas for a Christmas present. Wish me luck!
Hope you've had a good weekend.
xxxx
I'm like you with watches...I never take mine off and have a similar white band around my wrist. I've started to wear through my favourite Swatches as I often wear them in the shower and the bands don't last longer than a year. Previously I had Swatches that lasted over 12 years. They don't make them like they used to. The batteries for watches are very expensive. I'm now looking to see if I can just replace the bands.
ReplyDeleteYou struck gold with all that wool. I know it is quite expensive retail.
People lining up for food doesn't surprise me at all. The gap between the very rich and the very poor just keeps growing. It feels like the perfect environment for a revolution.
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
If only, Suzanne!
DeleteWhat bargains for 49p! The wool was a fab deal too and will keep you busy for many a month. I remember paraffin heaters and Esso Blue too, was glad of them when staying with my nan... her house was Baltic! Xx
ReplyDelete
DeleteBaltic is exactly the right word! My mum and dad's house was the same. In fact my children called the 'front' room the Cold Room!
xxx
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ReplyDelete